Thed Björk tests in preparation of WTCC debut

Volvo Polestar Racing tested their C30 1.6T car at Anderstorp last week ahead of their one-off appearance in the WTCC at Shanghai in two weeks’ time, with 2013 Scandinavian Touring Car champion Thed Björk behind the wheel.

Björk will make his WTCC debut at the Shanghai International Circuit, with Volvo Polestar Racing making its first appearance in the Championship since the season finale at Macau in 2011.

The team had a full day test at the Anderstorp circuit last week, where Björk had the opportunity to drive not only the 1.6 turbo engine but also the Volvo C30 S2000 car for the first time.

“I’ve tested the car, and it’ll be very interesting to see if we have some speed or can be competitive,” said Björk to TouringCarTimes. “It’s the first time I’ve driven the Volvo and the first time with the turbo.

“I was impressed by the car and how it was handling. That was my first reaction. It was very nimble, it was well balanced, it was more balanced that I thought (it would be) coming from the old S2000 cars.”

Björk has never raced at the Shanghai circuit, neither has Polestar, with the Chinese round of the WTCC in 2011 being held at the nearby Tianma circuit, and so both driver and team will have to learn the car and the track quickly with just three 30 minute practice sessions before qualifying.

“The expectations are to just do the best I can. I’ve had a fantastic season in Sweden, I’ve won eight of 12 races, so I’m very motivated but my expectation has to be realistic and we need to see where we are first.

“I think they were interested to test me in the car and get some other views of it other than Robert (Dahlgren)’s who has driven it a lot.”

On whether an STCC title defence, any potential WTCC programme, or racing in the V8 Supercars Championship would be the most appealing to the 32-year-old two-time STCC champion, Björk added:
“For me, I’m very happy to be a part of Polestar as a race driver, and what they decide to put me in I’ll be happy as I can be. I welcome all the challenges I can get, but it’s up to the team.”

Volvo Polestar Racing will head to Shanghai on the back foot after the confirmation from the FIA that the team will be invisible as far as the championship is concerned with their nationally homologated car.

Although the team was eligible for points in 2011 due to special dispensation, they won’t be at Shanghai, which means the team won’t be able to progress to the second part of qualifying, and therefore can only score a best grid position of 13th for both races.

The Volvo C30 will also carry 20kg of ballast, putting it just 20kg lighter than the championship winning Chevrolet Cruze.